Bishop Vasa's blog

The Link Between Freedom and Truth The Catechetical Congress held on Saturday, June 18 at Eureka focused on mercy, the theme of this Extraordinary Jubilee Year. The theme of mercy is not new to the Church but Pope Francis has presented it in a more invigorated and attractive way. My comments are brief but my citations of Pope Saint John Paul II are more extensive.

The Joy of Love The recently published long awaited Apostolic Exhortation by Pope Francis, titled The Joy of Love is a very important document and needs to be read. I say it needs to be read, not because of the variety of relatively controversial things some might hope to find there but rather because it is a very beautiful statement about marriage.

Jesus is Lord! He is Risen! Let us rejoice and be glad! Easter! For some the relieved sigh is, “It’s about time!” for others perhaps, “Already?” is more appropriate. My own sense is that there is always room for Lenten Regrets. At Easter we are reminded of all the good things we intended to do during Lent. It was only a few short weeks ago that those glowing resolutions were seriously considered, decided upon and chosen.

24 Hours for the Lord – Friday and Saturday, March 4-5 One of the programs encouraged by Pope Francis to highlight the Year of Mercy is a block of time, 24 hours in fact, to be set aside in every Parish for a time of Adoration and especially for abundant opportunities to access the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I have sent to pastors a proposed outline for how this time could be utilized in the Diocese of Santa Rosa. For some parishes a full 24 hour, overnight adoration may not be feasible.

A Season of Great Grace From all external appearances this Lent is not different from any other Lent. It is the same forty days in length, it terminates in Easter, the Liturgical readings are the same as they have been in years past, the color of vestments is purple with the exception of occasional Feasts and that one Sunday when pink (actually Rose) colored vestments are worn. True the Season is the same but the year is different, especially this Jubilee Year of Mercy, and you are different as you move through this Lent. This is a season of great grace.